James, Bond set records in pursuit

CAMBRIDGE: Commonwealth Games silver medallist Kirstie James retained her individual pursuit title in record time at the track nationals in Cambridge, while former Olympic rowing champion Hamish Bond set a national record on his way to victory in the 4000m individual pursuit on Thursday night.

It was Bond’s first national title on the track. His national record in qualifying was among the top10 fastest times in history at sea level.

James retained her national individual pursuit title by just 14/1000ths of a second in a remarkable final of the 3000m individual pursuit, with James and Edmondston’s fellow New Zealand track teammates, Rushlee Buchanan and Bryony Botha, fighting out an equally exciting rideoff for the bronze.

James’ winning time of 4min 28.311sec was a personal best and broke the national all comers record.

Edmondston was 12sec under her previous best in claiming the silver.

‘‘I am really pleased to back it up and go faster in the final. In qualifying I went too hard in the middle section and blew up a little bit. The evening ride was more consistent,’’ James said.

The excitement extended to the men’s 4000m individual pursuit final, in which Bond edged 2017 individual pursuit world champion Jordan Kerby in the final.

Bond, who has switched his attentions to the track after two years pursuing the time trial on the road, clocked 4min 12.436sec to top qualifying, breaking the national record by a second.

In the final, he was behind midway through but rallied to win in 4min 14.516sec over Kerby. Kennett rode an excellent 4min 13.728sec, a fraction outside his old national record, to win the bronze medal over Tom Sexton.

‘‘I had to really grit my teeth to get one over Jordan. Being an exworld champion, he was a really good scalp to beat in a final,’’ Bond said.